India less secular, now?
The man who lost his job in India for having a beard, I find this is an injustice and a violation of India’s constitutional rights (‘Indian man loses job for sporting a beard’, Gulf News, June 6). It is wrong to terminate or discriminate any employee based on religious sentiments. This is happening with the presence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Muslims are being made to suffer physically, financially and in so many other ways in India whereas in Muslim countries, non-Muslims are respected and given higher posts without any discrimination, but we say India is a secular country? If the government is secular and impartial, they should give proper justice to Mohammad Esmail.
From Mr Shaikh Rashid
UAE
Website comment
Happy and in harmony
It’s a sad incident, but how can the BJP be responsible for an incident that happened in May 2014, before the BJP government was formed? The Congress party, which faced bad results in the last election is trying to project BJP as an anti-Muslim party and trying to threaten Indian integrity by promoting some incidents in the media.
India is one of the fastest growing competitive economy in the supply chain since the new government came into power. There are many jobs in India that are open to only Muslims.
It depends on their business but, the paid media is trying to bring some incidents to show that India is not safe for Muslims. All Indians can understand this because in India, people from all religions are living happily.
From Mr Praveen
UAE
Website comment
Wait for investigation
The incident sounds disturbing. At the same time, I would wait until the final enquiry is done. This is an age where the media can be used to build and destroy reputations.
It is very easy to build controversies in these modern times and people can get swayed by emotions and build an opinion. An enquiry should be conducted and if the company is found guilty, action should be certainly taken.
From Mr J. J.
UAE
Full name withheld on request
How common is this?
This is another case of discrimination. This isn’t anything new. There have been so many cases where Muslims in India have been denied jobs. They deny them housing, jobs and even seats in schools and colleges. It’s part of the BJP plan where Muslims should be second class citizens.
From Mr Ali
UAE
Website comment
Government backs pilgrimage
How many of you know that India is the only country that heavily subsidises Haj pilgrimages for its Muslim citizens, to ensure they receive an opportunity for this spiritual journey?
This kind of self-serving falsification of facts is setting a harmful precedent to unscrupulous elements who want to stir up storms in a teacup.
From Ms Deepti Ramachandran
UAE
Facebook comment
Maybe the victim is lying
I think we should wait for the truth and the court’s decision before making judgements.
It’s also possible that the man in question is lying about it, due to his religious sentiments.
From Mr Vignesh
UAE
Website comment
Just a dress code
In my opinion, this man has two options. He could shave and continue or search for another job. Many offices have dress codes. My Muslim staff are all clean shaven.
From Mr Banwari Shivdayal Maheshwari
UAE
Facebook comment
Harsh stereotyping
It is very sad to hear these types of cases in India, particularly after the BJP has taken power. How come they can say that because he has a beard he is a terrorist? They are just targeting minority communities in India by any means to isolate them economically.
From Mr Subhani
UAE
Website comment
No ground for dismissal
It’s discrimination against this man. A beard is a natural part of the male body. We men need to feel disgust at this ruling and have as much passion about being discriminated against as our women friends do. As long as the beard is clean and hygienic, then there should be no grounds for dismissal.
From Mr Giles Heaton
Dubai
Facebook comment
Rules are rules
This Stone Age thinking should stop. Check with many companies, even around the GCC, they do ask for a daily shave. To me it’s as easy as following the company policy or quit. Start your own company, then put your rules there.
From Mr Anthony Mbugua
UAE
Facebook comment
Maybe not religious
There are many types of beards - some look really gross and some look cool. His company may not entertain beards in the workplace because it may hamper the company’s business. India has given so much freedom to its citizen in terms of religion. This will never be found in any other part of the world. Either Hindu or Muslim, they are Indian first
From Mr Prem Kumar Prasad
UAE
Facebook comment
Great signs of progress
The Gulf News story about how Mauritius designated their first woman president was great news, indeed (‘Mauritius designates first woman president’, Gulf News, June 4). The 56-year-old Ameenah Gurib-Fakim is the first woman president there and the fact that she is a renowned biologist is important. With her induction, Mauritius will go further forward and set an example in the region.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Renewable energy is crucial
Humanity is at the dawn of a global energy revolution that is capable of altering the way we perceive power generation. The UAE’s clean energy industry is also transforming and adopting new strategies. I believe now it is finally taking a more holistic approach to the changing realities of power generation and consumption around the world.
Everything done must now be grounded in what is feasible, given financial and technical constraints. This will result in better technology, thereby enabling healthier returns. The main agenda should be to advance the sustainable technologies and clean energy industry via education, research, development, investment, commercialisation and adaptation. It is often said that the UAE has enough hydrocarbon reserves to last beyond 100 years!
The common question would be: So why does the nation still want to become a global centre of excellence in renewable energy and clean technologies? Well, the region has a very good reason to do so. With a culture tied to life in the harsh and unforgiving desert, the region realises the lessons of traditional desert living, where sustainable practices and resource conservation were essential for survival. Therefore, it understands the tremendous challenges posed by climate change, environmental degradation and sustainable energy sources.
From Mr Manav Jha
Dubai
Hoping for justice against terror
The mosque bombing in Saudi Arabia was so terrible (‘16 Saudi mosque bombing suspects named’, Gulf News, June 4). May the souls of those who died rest in peace. May the families find peace in the fact that the dead were martyrs, thus receiving a place in heaven. I am sincerely hoping and praying that these terrorists are caught and punished for the pain and anguish they have brought to the hearts of millions in mourning worldwide.
From Ms Marwah
UAE
Website comment
Deceived with old phone
With regards to the refurbished phones resold as new, I had the same experience when I bought a phone online, but I was not able to get a replacement since when I opened the box the phone hit the table and got a dent in it (‘4,700 refurbished phones seized and destroyed’, Gulf News, June 4). So the vendor refused to replace it even though it was a refurbished phone. They had advertised the item as brand new on the website. I was forced to sell it for half the price I bought it for since it had fake headphones and charger in the box.
From Mr Sujith
UAE
Website comment
Fooling customers
There are some websites that are selling these products online. They are buying in bulk quantities without boxes and reselling them to their customers with packaging and fooling the customers. I have seen some kiosks as well.
From Mr Shahzad
UAE
Website comment
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